Santon Back Among The Caps

Davide Santon was one of six Newcastle players who featured for their countries on Tuesday

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Davide Santon made his first senior international appearance in nearly two years as Italy drew 1-1 with Holland in friendly action on Tuesday night.

The fixture, at Ajax's Amsterdam Arena, saw United's left-back win his eighth cap for the Azzurri - his last coming in March 2011 against Ukraine.

Santon played the full 90 minutes against the Dutch, who had Magpies' teammate Tim Krul in between the sticks, and Italy secured a last-gasp draw thanks to Marco Verratti's injury-time equaliser which cancelled out a Jeremain Lens strike.

Elsewhere, Newcastle duo Yohan Cabaye and Moussa Sissoko both started in the heart of France's midfield, but couldn't prevent them slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Germany at the Stade de France.

Sissoko claimed an assist for Mathieu Valbuena's opener a minute before half-time before being withdrawn on 80 minutes, but by that time the Germans had already turned the friendly on its head thanks to goals from Thomas Muller and Sami Khedira.

Magpies skipper Fabricio Coloccini was a late substitute as Argentina triumphed 3-2 away in Sweden.

A Mikael Lustig own goal and efforts from Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain earned the victory and Coloccini stepped off the bench for the final three minutes, replacing Ezequiel Garay.

Finally, Shane Ferguson could not inspire Northern Ireland to victory away in Malta as they played out a goalless draw.

The young left-sided star featured for just over an hour before making way for striker Billy Mckay, and the result leaves Northern Ireland boss - and former Newcastle midfielder - Michael O'Neill still searching for his first win.